By DCist contributor Matt Pelkey

“Out of the way, you slow f#@%!”

Everyone’s probably yelled something to that effect from behind the wheel of a car. Following tomorrow’s launch of D.C.’s new traffic calming program, you may find yourself cursing dawdlers on the road more often.

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) are launching the D.C. Neighborhood Pace Car Program, in which drivers voluntarily sign a pledge to drive safely, particularly by obeying posted speed limits. Those who sign the pledge will post a sticker on their vehicle to indicate their participation in the program.

Of course, the point of the program is to improve traffic safety — not enrage other motorists — and we urge you to avoid uttering a stream of expletives when you encounter a vehicle bearing the pace car sticker. The fatal crash on I-270 earlier this month showed that road rage can turn tragic and a program to improve driver behavior comes not a moment too soon.

Speeding reduces your time to react to dangerous situations, and if you crash at higher speeds, the odds of causing serious injury increase exponentially. According to WABA, a person hit by a vehicle traveling at 25 mph has a 90 percent chance of living, but at 40 mph, a person has a 90 percent chance of dying.

Also, pace car participants pledge to “not be pressured by others’ impatience to drive above the posted speed limit,” so even if you don’t subscribe to the idea of reducing injury and death, your increased blood pressure and blaring horn won’t get you anywhere.

The program is modeled after similar programs in cities such as Atlanta, Georgia and Palo Alto, California. It will kick off with an 11:00 a.m. briefing tomorrow at Fort Reno Park. If you want to get a sticker to show your support for the program, call WABA at (202) 518-0524, or drop by their office at 1803 Connecticut Ave, NW. You can also order one online.

Photo by Flickr user ohad*.